Mass of Christian Burial for Patricia “Pat” Wyffels, 88, of Minneota, formerly of Marshall, will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. The service will be livestreamed, recorded and available at www.holy-redeemer.com. A walk-through visitation will take place on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Walk through visitation will continue on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the remembrance center. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed.
Patricia Clemence (DeMeyer) Wyffels was born during the Great Depression on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1932, to Julius and Margaret DeMeyer in Green Valley, MN. She was baptized at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, MN, on March 26, 1932. She attended 1st grade at a catholic grade school in Ghent, MN, 2nd grade in Green Valley, MN, and then after her parents moved to a farm east of Marshall, she attended 3rd through 7th grade in a small country school house a couple miles from her home. Finally, she completed 8th grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Marshall. Then at 14 years old, to ensure she continued her catholic education, her parents sent her to high school at the St. Mary’s Academy in Graceville, MN. During the school seasons, she lived and worked in the convent with several other girls until she graduated in 1950. Patricia loved her time at St. Mary’s Academy, where she made many life-long friends. After graduation, Patricia returned home to help her parents on the farm. She also worked at the Silverberg’s clothing store in Marshall. In 1951, she met and fell in love with her husband, Louis Wyffels. Shortly thereafter, Louis was drafted into the Korean War. They exchanged many letters during their time of being apart. When Louis returned home on a furlough for Christmas in 1952, they were married on December 27 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. After Louis completed his service, they started their life together on the same farm where Louis was born, located near Minneota, MN. Together they raised two daughters and five sons. As a family, they farmed the land, worked in the gardens, and cared for the livestock which included chickens, pigs and dairy cows. In 1972, they opened up their home to an exchange student from Belgium, which evolved into a life-long connection with their “Belgium daughter”. Once the younger children started attending school, Patricia began working as a Nurse Assistant at the nursing home in Marshall. Due to her love of helping others, she proudly served in this position for over 20 years. After their youngest child left home, Louis and Patricia retired from the farm work, however they continued on with their mission of serving others. In addition to many years of caring for their aging parents, Patricia served as a volunteer as a board member and treasure of the St. Joan of Arc Society. She also served on the funeral committee at St. Edward Catholic Church and School in Minneota, where all seven children attended school. In 1994, Patricia created a prayer network for St. Edward, which she expanded into a very large network over the course of many years. Patricia also volunteered for 15 years at Birthright of Marshall, where she served as a statistician and provided support to women struggling with unplanned pregnancies. In 2004, Patricia and Louis moved to Marshall and rejoined the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. In retirement, they loved spending time with their children and grandchildren. Sadly, in 2009, after 56 years of marriage, Patricia lost the love of her life. Patricia continued to share her life with her family and friends.
Patricia died on Thursday, December 17, 2020, while surrounded by family at the Minneota Manor in Minneota, MN.
She is survived by her daughter Shirley (Johnson) Wyffels from Rochester and her daughter Ranina; daughter Bonita (and Michael) DeSutter from Ghent and their children Christine, Mark, Adam, Karen, Laura, Heidi, Rachel and Maria; son David (and Vicky) Wyffels from Willmar, their daughters Jonikka, Amanda and Heather; son Daniel (and Julie) Wyffels from Marshall and their children Kayla, Nicole and Bradin; son Gary (and Julie) Wyffels from Willmar and their daughters Ashley and Alyssa; son Richard (and Doreen) Wyffels from Alexandria and their daughters Sarah and Jenna; son William (and Katherine) Wyffels from Waconia and their daughters Olivia and Emma; her sister Marge Zeug of Marshall, sister-in-law Coletta Louwagie, Belguim exchange student Claire Boucquey-Bellinkx, and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis; parents Julius and Margaret DeMeyer; sister Florine Laleman; and brother James DeMeyer; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Wyffels.
In lieu of gifts, flowers, or memorials, donations to Birthright, Hospice or a charity of choice is preferred. Cards or other acknowledgements can be sent to Wyffels, 305 SE 26th St. Willmar, MN 56201.
